Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karl Rabe (krabe@comcast.net / 734.730.0168)
July 4, 2023
ERIC “THE VOICE” STEINER AND PAUL W. SMITH INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Stone Skipping legends Eric “The Voice” Steiner and WJR broadcaster Paul W. Smith were inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame on the occasion of the 55th Annual 4th of July Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Contest at Windemere Beach on Mackinac Island, Michigan. “We are excited to welcome these two great ambassadors of the sport to the Hall of Fame”, said Hall of Fame Director Karl Rabe. Nominees for induction are cast in October and then inducted if they receive a minimum of two Plinks (affirmative votes from the Screening Committee) and six Pitty-Pats (affirmative votes from the Honors Committee).
Eric Steiner has been “The Voice” of Mackinac Island Stone Skipping for over 23 years. His live beach-front play-by-play commentary from the patio of Hotel Iroquois has entertained and educated throngs of stone skipping fans for almost a quarter century as professional stone skippers face off in the Invitation portion of the tournament conducted at high noon each year. After the death of legendary Michigan PR Man W. T. “Bill” Rabe, Eric carried on the PR torch, continuing to publicize the tournament world-wide. Under Eric’s tenure the 50th Annual Tournament was featured on NBC’s Today show and the 51st and 52nd Tournaments were broadcast on ESPN.
Paul W. Smith, award winning broadcaster, has used his 50,000 watt powered microphone at WJR (fittingly “The Great Voice of the Great Lakes”) to enthusiastically support Mackinac Island and Stone Skipping for well over 25 years. “Before meeting Paul in person”, writes Eric Steiner, “we conducted phone interviews. When we eventually met, I knew I had found my broadcasting partner. Receiving a text from Paul W at 4:50 in the morning confirmed that I had found a great friend.” Eric’s beach-front reports to Paul W. Smith on Detroit radio station WJR (760 AM) were a key element of the tournament’s longevity.
That partnership between Paul W. Smith and Eric “The Voice” Steiner culminated in one of the greatest public relations event ever for Mackinac Island Stone Skipping… the broadcast of the 52nd Annual Mackinac Island Tournament in 2020 on ESPN8: The Ocho with Paul W. Smith and Eric Steiner partnering beach side for play-by-play and color commentary.
Inductees to the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame are recognized by a skipping stone bearing their name and year of induction on the hall of fame trophy, the Tellefson Rock. The Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing competitors, officials, and others who have made a significant contribution to the sport of Stone Skipping. Visit the Hall of Fame online at misshof.com.
